Video of the Hamann exhaust system for the F10 M5. Together with its ECU software tune, it bumps the M5’s power to 720hp and 900Nm (664 lb/ft) of torque.

Listen to a back-to-back comparison of the factory F30 3 series 335i exhaust versus the F30 335i M Performance Exhaust System.

By BIMMERPOST moderator Dackelone (David):

The other night I was at the BMW Welt and spotted BMW’s Active Tourer Concept [official info thread] on display. The spot lights were turned off (since it was at night) so I just HAD to go back for a better look!

One of the things I found most striking about the Active Tourer Concept are the lines of the car - especially the car’s hood and side body. I found the curves to be very sexy. The hood lines reminded me of the way the F30 hood (lines) flows. I really liked the way that there wasn’t a flat panel to be found. It made me want to run my hand across it. I also liked the way the body … CONTINUED

The BMW 3 Series has taken the sales crown for the compact luxury sports sedan segment for the year 2012. BMW sold 99,602 3 Series in 2012 compared to 81,697 C-Class sold by Mercedes Benz. The 3 Series figures include sales of the E92, E93, F30 and F31 models.

BMW managed this feat even with some supply constraints on the F30 3 Series experienced during earlier parts of 2012.

Here is the full list of the segment’s sales figures.

Now here’s a shade of color that’s rare even among the custom BMW Individual colors that we’ve seen ordered for late model BMWs - Oxford Green, a color that hasn’t been offered as a standard BMW color for years now.

We would never have guessed that it would look so good on the 2013 M6 (F13) coupe, but it actually works pretty well in our opinion. Not many exterior colors can pull off a champagne tan interior such as this, but Oxford Green happens to be one of them.

BMW received some jeers over the implementation of “Active Sound” technology in the F10 M5, where the car reproduces and boosts and the car’s engine sound electronically via the in-car audio system.

And the same technology may now be in use in the M135i (and possibly other models as well). The M135i actually sounds great inside the passenger cabin, but a BIMMERPOST site member recently conducted a test on his M135i by unplugging the sound symposer device, which led to the loss of much of the engine noise inside the car’s passenger cabin. Check out the comparison videos inside.

In 2012, the BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) achieved its best sales since the previous record year of 2007 retailing 347,583 vehicles, up 13.8 percent compared to the 305,418 vehicles sold in 2011. BMW Group reported December sales of 43,855 vehicles, an increase of 34.8 percent from the 32,545 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago.

“To turn months of critically short supply into the best year ever for the BMW Group in the U.S. is a monumental achievement, emphasizing what a customer-oriented dealer network with an agile logistics team can do,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “The post-recession sales momentum that started in 2010 reached an unprecedented level in December, making us strongly confident … CONTINUED

A few M5POST members gathered over the new years eve weekend for some socializing, driving, and exhaust sound-off.

Check out the photos and video footage from the gathering and listen as the F10 M5 shows off the Eisenmann Sport, Eisenmann Race, and RPi GT exhaust systems.

Auto Express UK track tests the new BMW M135i versus the Subaru WRX STI 340R. Here’s how they compare on paper.

BMW M135i:
3 liter inline 6 cylinder
316 hp / 450 Nm torque
0-62 mph (0-100kmh) in 5.1 seconds (manual), 4.9 seconds (automatic)
Weight: 3174 lbs

Subaru WRX STI 340R:
2.5 liter 4 cylinder
316 hp / 450 Nm torque
0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds
Weight: 3249 lbs

Car and Driver shares their comparison pitting the F10 M5 versus the F13 M6 at the Anglesey Circuit in the UK to see if the M6 is truly better at the track than the M5, as advertised.

The M5 and M6 share the same 560hp powertrain, but the M6 is billed as being even more suited for the track with its lighter weight (about 100 pounds), lower center of gravity (due to lighter carbon roof and lower roofline) and slighter faster acceleration (about a tenth of second faster to 0-60, at 4.1 seconds).

Check out the real world results and differences on the track.